Speaker of the House of Commons Anthony Rota resigned on Tuesday following an outcry over his invitation of a World War II veteran, Yaroslav Hunka, to attend a speech by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. It was later revealed that Hunka had fought for the Nazi military unit known as the Waffen-SS Galicia Division, causing outrage from members of the public and the Canadian government. Rota apologized for his “lapse in judgment” and resigned to “protect the dignity of the House of Commons”, sparking a debate in Canada over the proper way to recognize veterans of World War II and the need to ensure that those with Nazi ties are not honored.
Posts tagged as “Volodymyr Zelenskyy”
Canada's House of Commons Speaker Anthony Rota has apologized after recognizing 98-year-old Yaroslav Hunka, who had fought for a Nazi military unit during World War II, during a speech by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Rota had called Hunka a “hero” and he was given a standing ovation by Canadian lawmakers. The incident has caused controversy in Canada, with Rota expressing regret for his decision and raising questions about how much research is done on those who are recognized in the House of Commons.
On Friday, a strike on Russia's Black Sea Fleet headquarters in Sevastopol left dozens dead and wounded. The attack reportedly resulted in the death and injury of the fleet's senior leadership, with one serviceman confirmed killed. In response, the U.S. is considering providing Ukraine with Army Tactical Missile Systems to aid in the ongoing counteroffensive against Russia.
CBS News' "60 Minutes" recently visited Ukraine to investigate the use of US financial and military aid in the country's war with Russia. President Joe Biden has promised to provide long-range missiles to Ukraine, and the White House has requested an additional $20 billion in aid. The program is looking into how the aid is being used and whether it is helping Ukraine in its fight against Russia.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on former US President Donald Trump to reveal his plan for ending the war between Ukraine and Russia within 24 hours. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has responded to the call, saying that the US is going after those involved in unlawfully detaining Americans with sanctions and travel restrictions. The war between Ukraine and Russia has been ongoing since 2014, resulting in the displacement of over 1.5 million people and the death of over 13,000.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to visit Washington this week to discuss the Biden administration's request for an additional $24 billion in security and humanitarian aid for Ukraine. The US has already provided Ukraine with more than $1.5 billion in security assistance since 2014, and has appointed a special envoy to facilitate a peaceful resolution to the conflict in eastern Ukraine. The visit is seen as a key step in the Biden administration's efforts to support Ukraine, with the debate over the aid package expected to be a major focus.
President Joe Biden will address the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday to rally international support for Ukraine's effort to repel Russia's invasion. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries will host a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during his visit to the U.S. Capitol. Biden's speech is an important step in the international community's effort to address the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and a repudiation of the "America First" approach taken by the previous administration.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is visiting the Capitol on Thursday to meet with senators and discuss the Biden administration's request for $13.1 billion in additional military funding for Ukraine. Congress is divided on the issue, and the meeting is an opportunity for senators to discuss their views with Zelenskyy before he meets with President Biden at the White House.